Page 54 of Regressive

He holds out a square envelope—my name scrawled across the front. “This is for you.”

I recognize the script—it’s the same as the ones to all the other women’s meetings—and it sets my heart racing. While looking over his shoulder, making sure no one sees me, I take it from him.

“Thank you.”

He nods, and jumps down the porch steps, vanishing down the road. I don’t go back inside before I run a finger under the flap and open it. More instructions. The meeting is tonight. Eleven PM. Dress in ceremonial white.

There’s a tug at my heart this time—less excitement—more worry. Rex and I were on the precipice of something. A more honest, real relationship. I know him well enough now, that if he finds out that I’ve been attending this women’s group, becoming more bonded to the women in Serendee, he’ll be furious.

Betrayed.

Things are changing so quickly for me. It’s confusing and overwhelming. Rex and the guys have shown me this other side of life: sex, lust, and every temptation in the outside world. The information about my mother and Beatrice. The Fallen. But then the women’s group… it’s the kind of acceptance I’ve always wanted in the community.

It’s an honor I never expected to receive.

Being part of this bonded group of women is important to me, but I also feel like I’m losing another piece of myself with each meeting. Telling Margaret about sleeping with men other than my mate, well, it’s all twisted and confusing.

Regardless of my mixed feelings, there’s no real way I can decline the invitation. I’ve already committed. I’ve given them my collateral. I’ve taken the oaths.

As always, I do as I’m instructed, changing into my white dress, slipping on my sandals. Like a ghost, I slip into the night, traveling up the hill to the meeting spot—Beatrice’ house. Margaret is waiting with a wide, welcoming smile.

“Sorry it was so last minute,” she says. “Did you make it out okay.”

“Rex and Elon were called away to an assignment. Silas and Levi didn’t make it home.”

“Good. I set it up for them to not be home, but juggling four men is a challenge.”

I laugh and say, “Tell me about it,” even though the knowledge that she orchestrated their assignments fills my belly with worry. This woman has so much power.

“Tonight is going to be so special, Imogene.” She thrusts both hands out, fingers wiggling for me to grasp. “But before we go, there’s something I want to share with you—since we’re family.”

“Oh,” I say, “is something wrong?”

“No, the opposite really.” She pulls my hand to her stomach. The move startles me, but not as much as the feel of a bump under the loose, flowing dress.A bump. I blink and look at her face. She’s beaming. “I’m pregnant.”

The news hits me—hard like an impact. Shock? Surprise. Maybe both.

“Rex is going to be a big brother and you’re going to be a sister-in-law.” She laughs, possibly knowing how crazy it sounds. Or, hopefully she does. He’ll be over twenty years older than the baby.

“I’m just…” I suck in a breath. “Congratulations. That’s amazing news.”

“Isn’t it?” She looks down, rubbing her hand over the swell of her stomach. She looks to be a few months—although Margaret is so thin, she may be further along. “It just makes tonight even more special.”

I tilt my head to the side. “How so?”

“Tonight is when we truly become sisters.” She squeezes my hand. “Now that you’ve released your collateral and have committed to the women’s group, there’s one last step.” She lowers her voice. “Tonight, in a special ceremony, you’ll get your birthmark.”

The birthmark. She’d told us about this the first night in the woods. The final step of our initiation. I shiver, unable to discern if it’s nerves or excitement. No, what Anex would tell me is that it’s fear. Fear of embracing Enlightenment. Fear of handing myself over to a trusted spiritual leader.

I squeeze Margaret’s fingers in mine and say with complete honesty, “I can’t wait.”

23

Elon

I shiftthe car into gear, pushing the speed limit, as we exit the county. The road is familiar. I’d driven it two days before. This time I know what I’m getting into.

“Is someone going to tell me where we’re going?” Silas asks from the back seat. I’d picked him up on the way to the garage, telling him we needed him. Which we didn’t. Not for the easy drop off over at the Phi Kappa house.

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